A quite glorious sunrise as I walked around Durlston this morning, a ball of red glowing through the wispy cloud producing a spectacular glow.
Against this backdrop, a Kestrel was perched, the wonderful bird of prey silhouetted against this light, it then began to squawk before taking flight and landing on the Tamarisk, the wispy green fronds bending as it landed.
The bushes alongside alive with small birds. A great view of a Blackcap dinking amongst the ropes of the Wild Clematis, a black capped head popping up above the white beards of the plant.
Chiffchaffs flitting through the red berry laden Hawthorn, a flash of white eye line as they showed. From deeper amongst the plants a Wren was calling loudly, the abrupt blast of this tiny bird catching the ear.
Down by the coast Gannets were gliding past, the white backs catching the red light as they went, while skimming close to the water, near the cliff a couple of Shags.
Half way down the rock face a Peregrine Falcon was sitting, ignoring the Feral Pigeons that were flying past.
By the lighthouse a Wheatear was hopping the white rump flashing as it moved, this is one of my favourite birds.
Buzzing around the flowering Ivy, a large number of Ivy Bees – Colletes hederae, with a few Drones, some Hoverflies and a couple of Red Admiral butterflies.
Hidden on the wall was a Large Yellow Underwing moth, and nearby a Black Rustic, both roosting for the day before taking flight again this evening.
The sound of a Tawny Owl ‘twooing’ echoed around the site very early this morning.
A patch of Yarrow, the white flower against the dark green feathery leaves, nearby a purple flowered Black Knapweed and Wlld Carrot.